Palm Beach airport renamed after Trump, first US terminal to honor a sitting president
The airport serving Palm Beach, Florida, was officially renamed President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, becoming the first US commercial airport to bear the name of a sitting president.
The airport serving Palm Beach, Florida, officially became the President Donald J. Trump International Airport on Thursday, July 9, 2026. The change makes it the first US commercial airport to bear the name of a sitting president, according to multiple reports. The facility, located a short drive from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort, now uses the FAA identifier DJT, replacing its longtime code PBI.
The renaming ceremony
Eric Trump, the president's son, landed aboard the family's private aircraft, nicknamed "Trump Force One," at 5:01 a.m. local time to ensure it was the first arrival under the new name.
He later posted cockpit footage on social media and told Fox News the moment was "incredibly unique." New road signs and terminal displays already reflect the updated branding.There's no way in hell I was letting UPS be the first plane to land.
Legislative path and licensing deal
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the renaming into law in March, after the state legislature approved it. The Federal Aviation Administration authorized the transition in May. The three-letter code change to DJT took effect immediately for flight planning, but passenger bookings and tickets will not show the new code until August 18. The total cost of the transition is estimated at $5.5 million, with $2.75 million allocated from state funds and the remainder covered by the Palm Beach County Airport Department, which operates the publicly owned facility.
- State funds
- 2.75 $ million
- Airport Department funds
- 2.75 $ million
Because the Trump name is a registered trademark, Palm Beach County negotiated a licensing agreement with the Trump Organization. The county commission approved the deal by a 4-3 vote in May. According to CBS, the president will not receive any money from the license.
A broader branding push
The airport renaming is the latest in a series of institutions and programs that have adopted Trump's name since he returned to the White House in January 2025. These include a planned class of Navy warships, a visa program for wealthy foreigners, a government-run prescription drug website, federal savings accounts for children, and the United States Institute of Peace building. A limited-edition US passport featuring Trump's portrait was issued for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. Courts, however, blocked an attempt to add his name to the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
Operational impact and pushback
The airport handles over 8.6 million passengers annually, with about 200 daily commercial flights and an estimated $4.6 billion contribution to the regional economy. Officials said airlines, routes, and schedules will continue without disruption. The new law also removed local governments' authority to name the commercial airports they manage. One pilot has filed a lawsuit challenging the name change, arguing it creates uncertainty and potential safety risks.
- Florida legislature passes renaming bill; Governor DeSantis signs it into law.
- FAA approves the transition and authorizes the code change to DJT.
- Name change takes effect; Eric Trump lands the first flight at 5:01 a.m.
- DJT code appears on passenger bookings and tickets.
